Security guards patrolling the Packard Humanities Institute, a large private film vault near College of the Canyons in Valencia, called SCV Sheriff Station deputies at around 2:22 pm when they noticed an unauthorized person on the premises. The suspected trespasser was first confronted by the security guards, though he proved to be uncooperative, and a fight broke out when deputies arrived. Once the suspect was detained, he was taken by AMR to a nearby hospital to be treated.
Trespassing is covered under California Penal Code 602 PC and is described as is described as entering or remaining on someone else’s property without permission to do so. Most trespassing charges result from situations where an individual:
- Enters someone else’s property with the intent of damaging it
- Entering someone else’s property with the intent to interfere with business
- Entering and “occupying” another person’s property without their permission or
- Refusing to leave private property when asked to do so
Interestingly, trespassing charges can also be filed when an individual:
- Refuses screening at an airport or courthouse
- Takes oysters or shellfish off another person’s land
- Taking soil, dirt or stones off of someone else’s property without permission to do so
Trespassing charges can be filed as an infraction, misdemeanor or a felony, though felony cases are usually rare. To be charged with an infraction-level trespassing offense, an individual must willfully enter someone’s land without permission and that land is enclosed by a fence or has “no trespassing” signs posted regularly at intervals no less than 3 to a mile. The penalty for the infraction is a $75 fine for the first offense and a $250 fine for the second. A third offense will be charged as a misdemeanor, with the possible penalties of misdemeanor probation, up to 6 months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. For felony trespass, the possible penalties include 16 months to 3 years in county jail and/or felony probation.
